Oral Airway Device

ABSTRACT

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an airway device is disclosed that includes a bite block and a depressor section. The bite block has proximal and distal ends and is configured and dimensioned for positioning between a patient&#39;s upper and lower teeth. The depressor section also has proximal and distal ends and extends distally from the bite block. The depressor section includes upper and lower members that are separated by a web as well as a stop. The lower member includes a first portion having a generally linear configuration and a second portion having an arcuate configuration, and the stop depends transversely from the first portion of the lower member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.:15/921,915, filed on Mar. 15, 2018, which claims the benefit of, andpriority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/490,742,filed on Apr. 27, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

During certain medical procedures, it is often necessary to insertmedical tools, such as endotracheal tubes, e.g., breathing tubes, into apatient's mouth and/or the patient's throat or esophagus. For example,during an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedure, an endoscope ispassed through the patient's oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, andduodenum, e.g., for the treatment of abdominal pain, ulcers, cancer,hiatal hernias, GERD (gastrointestinal reflux disease), heartburn,dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), etc. Such medical procedures areoften performed while the patient is under general anesthesia (therebyrendering the patient unconscious) or conscious sedation, which createsa potential for the patient's tongue to obstruct or block the patient'sairway, thereby complicating the medical procedure.

To combat this issue, the patient's jaw can be lifted, and/or a bypasscan be created through the patient's nasal passages. However, liftingthe patient's jaw is not always effective, and the insertion of tubesinto the nasal passages can sometimes result in bleeding, which isparticularly problematic for patients on anti-coagulants and which maycause blood dripping towards the back of the patient's airway to triggera cough.

As such, there remains a need for a medical device that can not onlykeep a patient's airway open and clear during medical procedures, butsupport and protect medical tools inserted into the patient's oralcavity, e.g., from damage by the patient's teeth.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an airway device is disclosedthat includes a bite block and a depressor section. The bite block hasproximal and distal ends and is configured and dimensioned forpositioning between a patient's upper and lower teeth. The depressorsection also has proximal and distal ends and extends distally from thebite block. The depressor section includes upper and lower members thatare separated by a web, as well as a stop. The lower member includes afirst portion having a generally linear configuration and a secondportion having an arcuate configuration, and the stop dependstransversely from the first portion of the lower member.

In certain embodiments, the stop may be positioned in generallyorthogonal relation to the first portion of the depressor section.

In certain embodiments, the stop may include a generally U-shapedconfiguration.

In certain embodiments, the bite block may include a retention structureconfigured and dimensioned for contact with the patient's teeth toinhibit inadvertent removal of the bite block.

In certain embodiments, the upper member may include a first portionhaving a generally linear configuration and a second portion having anarcuate configuration.

In certain embodiments, the first portion of the upper member may beconnected to, e.g., integrally formed with, the retention structure.

In certain embodiments, the second portions of the upper and lowermembers may each include a curvature that mimics a contour defined bythe patient's tongue.

In certain embodiments, the upper and lower members may be generallyplanar in configuration.

In certain embodiments, the web may include at least one openingextending transversely through the web.

In certain embodiments, the at least one opening in the web may includea first opening and a second opening. It is envisioned that the firstopening may define a first configuration and that the second opening maydefine a second, different configuration.

In certain embodiments, the depressor section may be dimensioned suchthat a distalmost end of the depressor section is positionable adjacenta base of the patient's tongue when the airway device is properlyoriented in the patient's mouth. For example, in certain embodiments,the depressor section may define a length within the range ofapproximately 2″ to approximately 4″.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an airway device isdisclosed that includes a depressor section configured and dimensionedto contact a patient's tongue. The depressor section includes a web,upper and lower members that extend laterally from the web such that thedepressor section defines a generally I-shaped transversecross-sectional configuration, and a stop that depends transversely fromthe lower member.

In certain embodiments, the lower member may include a first portionhaving a generally linear configuration and a second portion having anarcuate configuration.

In certain embodiments, the stop may be positioned in generallyorthogonal relation to the first portion of the lower member.

In certain embodiments, the stop may include a generally U-shapedconfiguration.

In certain embodiments, the web may include at least one openingextending transversely therethrough.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an airway device isdisclosed that includes a bite block configured and dimensioned forpositioning between a patient's upper and lower teeth, and a depressorsection that extends from the bite block. The bite block includes aretention structure that is configured and dimensioned for contact withthe patient's teeth to inhibit inadvertent removal of the bite block,and the depressor section includes a web, upper and lower members thatextend laterally from the web, and a stop. The upper member includes agenerally linear first portion integrally formed with the retentionstructure of the bite block and an arcuate second portion, and the lowermember includes a generally linear first portion and an arcuate secondportion. The stop extends from the first portion of the lower member ingenerally orthogonal relation.

In certain embodiments, the web may include at least one openingextending transversely therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of an airway devicein accordance with the principles of the present disclosure thatincludes a bite block, a guard, and a depressor section;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the airway device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a (partial) end perspective view of the airway device shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the airway device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a (partial) side view of an alternative embodiment of the biteblock seen in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a (partial) side view of another alternative embodiment of thebite block seen in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 7 is a (partial) side view of yet another alternative embodiment ofthe bite block seen in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 8 is a (partial) side view of even another alternative embodimentof the bite block seen in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the depressor sectiontaken along line 8-8 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional view of an alternate embodimentof the depressor section;

FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the airway deviceshown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 12 is a side view of another alternative embodiment of the airwaydevice shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of yet another alternative embodiment of theairway device shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described indetail with reference to the figures, wherein like references numeralsidentify similar or identical elements. With reference now to FIGS. 1-4,an airway device 1000 utilized during certain medical procedures isillustrated that is configured and dimensioned to: (i) keep a patient'sairway open; (ii) facilitate the insertion and removal of medical tools,e.g., endoscopes and endotracheal tubes; and (iii) support and protectthe medical tools during insertion and removal, e.g., from damage by thepatient's teeth. Throughout the present disclosure, the term “patient”should be understood to refer to a human or animal, and reference to“the patient's tongue” should be understood to refer generally to theinherent anatomy of a human or animal tongue including shape, length,size, etc.

The airway device 1000 defines an overall length L (FIG. 2) in the rangeof approximately 3″ to approximately 5″ to facilitate use with a varietyof patients and includes a bite block 100, a guard 200, and a depressorsection 300. The airway device 1000, and the various components thereof,may be formed from any suitable biocompatible material, such as, forexample, plastics or rubbers, either individually or in combination. Theairway device 1000 may be manufactured in any suitable manner, such as,for example, via injection molding, extrusion, or 3-D printing. In oneparticular embodiment, the airway device 1000 may be manufactured suchthat the airway device 1000 is monolithically formed from a single pieceof material, whereby the individual components of the airway device1000, i.e., the bite block 100, the guard 200, and the depressor section300, are integrally formed.

The bite block 100 is configured and dimensioned for positioning in apatient's mouth. More specifically, the bite block 100 defines a widthW_(BB) (FIG. 3), a height H_(BB) (FIG. 3), and a depth D_(BB) (FIG. 2)that permit comfortable positioning of the bite block 100 between thepatient's teeth without requiring the patient's mouth to be strained inan open position. For example, the width WBB of the bite block 100 maybe within the range of approximately 1″ to approximately 1.5″, theheight HBB of the bite block 100 may be within the range ofapproximately 0.83″ to approximately 1.4″, and the depth DBB of the biteblock 100 may be within the range of approximately 1″ to approximately1.5″.

The bite block 100 includes respective proximal and distal ends 102,104, and a body 106 defining an access passage 108 that extends throughthe bite block 100 to permit the insertion and removal of one or moremedical tools, e.g., an endoscope (not shown), an endotracheal tube (notshown), etc. Although illustrated as being generally cylindrical andoval in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the bite block 100 and theaccess passage 108 may assume any suitable geometric configuration,e.g., circular, cylindrical, tubular, etc. The body 106 of the biteblock 100 includes a wall 110 (FIG. 3) having a thickness T within therange of approximately 0.5″ to approximately 1″, and the access passage108 defines an internal dimension 0 within the range of approximately0.5″ to approximately 1.5″.

As seen in FIGS. 1-4, in certain embodiments, the bite block 100 furtherincludes a retention structure 112 that is configured and dimensioned toinhibit or prevent inadvertent removal of the bite block 100 from thepatient's mouth via engagement with the patient's teeth, which may beany structure suitable for this intended purpose. For example, in theparticular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the retention structure112 is depicted as a rib or flange 114 located adjacent to and integralwith the distal end 104 of the bite block 100 that circumscribes thebite block 100 and extends radially outward therefrom. It should beappreciated, however, that the location and/or the configuration of theretention structure 112 may be varied in alternate embodiments withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, theretention structure 112 may be positioned between the respectiveproximal and distal ends 102, 104 of the bite block 100, as seen in FIG.5, by extending radially outward from the wall 110 of the body 106 ofthe bite block 100. In another embodiment, the retention structure 112may include one or more projections 116, e.g., rounded detents 118, asseen in FIG. 6, that extend outward from the wall 110 of the body 106 ofthe bite block 100. In yet another embodiment, one or more indentations120, e.g., cavities, channels, or depressions 122, as seen in FIG. 7,may extend in or through the wall 110 of the body 106 of the bite block100, either individually, or in combination. In even another embodiment,it is envisioned that the retention structure 112 may include a taperedsegment 124 of the wall 110 of the body 106 of the bite block 100, asseen in FIG. 8, such that an outer dimension, e.g., diameter, of thebite block 100 increases gradually from the proximal end 102 towards thedistal end 104 thereof.

With reference again to FIGS. 1-4, the guard 200 is configured anddimensioned for positioning adjacent the patient's lips and surroundingareas to inhibit or prevent over-insertion of the airway device 1000into the patient's mouth or airway. The guard 200 is positioned integralwith and adjacent to the proximal end 102 of the bite block 100 andextends laterally outward therefrom to define a width W_(G) (FIG. 3)within the range of approximately 1″ to approximately 4. ″ The guard 200defines a height H_(G) (FIG. 3) within the range of approximately 1.5″to approximately 2″, and includes a flange 202 that is connected to thebite block 100 at bridge portions 204 located in the center of the guard200. The bridge portions 204 serve to connect the flange 202 to the biteblock 100, and permit a certain amount of relative movement between theflange 202 and the bite block 100 to create flexibility in positioningthe flange 202 to the patient's mouth in order to increase patientcomfort.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the flange 202 includes asubstantially arcuate configuration, in which the flange 202 has asubstantially rectangular, hollow configuration that curves towards thedistal end 104 of the bite block 100 such that a space is providedbetween the flange 202 and the bite block 100 except for where theflange 202 is connected to the bite block 100 via the bridge portions204. For example, the flange 202 may define a radius of curvature withinthe range of approximately 1″ to approximately 2″. Alternatively, it isenvisioned that the flange 202 may be devoid of any such deliberatecurvature, and thus, generally planar in configuration.

The guard 200 may further include connectors 206, as seen in FIGS. 1-4,to facilitate the connection of supports to the airway device 1000. Forexample, the guard 200 may include T-shaped projections 208 positionedadjacent the lateral ends of the guard 200 that are configured anddimensioned for connection to straps (not shown) such that the strapscan extend around the patient's head, e.g., to further support theairway device 1000 and assist in inhibiting or preventing over-insertionof the airway device 1000 into the patient's mouth or airway.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1-4, the depressor section 300 extendsdistally from the bite block 100 and is configured and dimensioned forcontact with the patient's tongue and other soft tissues of thepatient's mouth. More specifically, the depressor section 300 isconfigured and dimensioned to press the patient's tongue towards thefloor of the patient's mouth and maintain the position of the patient'stongue to guard against obstruction of the patient's airway and/orapnea. To facilitate proper depression, in one embodiment, the depressorsection 300 defines a length LD (FIG. 2) within the range ofapproximately 2″ to approximately 4″ such that that a distalmost end 302(FIGS. 1, 2) of the depressor section 300 is positionable adjacent abase of the patient's tongue when the airway device 1000 is properlyoriented in the patient's mouth.

The depressor section 300 includes a first portion 304 (FIG. 2) that isconnected to or integral with the bite block 100 and a second portion306 that extends distally from the first portion 304. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-4, for example, the first portion 304 includes agenerally planar configuration, and the second portion 306 includes agenerally arcuate configuration that mimics the contour of the patient'stongue and portion of the throat, e.g., such that the second portiondefines a radius of curvature within the range of approximately 0.2″ toapproximately 0.5″.

The depressor section 300 includes respective upper and lower members308, 310 that are substantially parallel and connected to and separatedby a web 312. The upper and lower members 308, 310 extend along both theplanar first portion 304 and the arcuate second portion 306 of thedepressor section 300. The first portion 304 of the upper member 308 isconnected to or integral with a portion of the rib 114 formed on thebite block 100 and extends away from the bite block 100 to the arcuatesecond portion 306. The planar first portion 304 of the lower member 310extends along the length of the bite block 100 and is connected to thebite block 100 and a portion of the guard 200 by the web 312 which maybe connected to or integrally formed with the planar first portion 304of the lower member 310, the bite block 100, and the guard 200.

As can be appreciated through reference to FIG. 9, for example, as thedepressor section 300 extends into the arcuate second portion 306, theupper and lower members 308, 310 extend laterally outward from the web312 such that the depressor section 300 includes a generally I-shapedtransverse cross-sectional configuration wherein the web 312 issubstantially perpendicular to the upper and lower members 308, 310 ofthe depressor section 300. The I-shaped transverse cross-sectionalconfiguration defines lateral channels 314, 316 configured anddimensioned to accommodate one or more medical tools, e.g., a suctiontube or an airway tube, that are positioned on opposite sides of the web312.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 9, the upper member 308 includes lateral ends318, 320, and the lower member 310 includes lateral ends 322, 324. Whileeach of the members 308, 310 is illustrated as being generally planar inconfiguration in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9, inalternate embodiments, either or both of the members 308, 310 mayinclude a curvate configuration, as seen in FIG. 10.

The web 312 separating the members 308, 310 includes one or moreopenings 326 (FIG. 2). The openings 326 may be formed duringmanufacture, e.g., during an injection molding process, and may beconfigured and dimensioned to receive medical tools, such as suctionstubes (not shown), airway tubes (not shown), or the like. The openings326 extend through the web 312 such that an inserted medical tool willextend transversely through the depressor section 300, i.e., in adirection transverse in relation the length L_(D) (FIG. 2) of thedepressor section 300. Although shown as including five openings 326that are each generally elliptical in configuration, in alternateembodiments, the number and/or configuration of the openings 326 may bealtered or varied. For example, as seen in FIG. 11, the web 312 mayinclude a pair of openings 326A that are generally circular inconfiguration. In FIG. 12, a single opening 326 _(B) is provided andconfigured as a slit. In FIG. 13, a combination of openings 326 thatvary in configuration may be utilized, such as a pair of ellipticalopenings 326, a single circular opening 326 _(A), and a single opening326 _(B) configured as a slit.

To further inhibit or prevent against over-insertion of the airwaydevice 1000 into the patient's mouth or airway, in certain embodiments,the depressor section 300 may include a stop 328 (FIGS. 3, 4), forexample, to prevent over insertion of the airway device 1000 and/orfurther stabilize the oral airway device 1000 in the patient's mouth.The stop 328 extends transversely in relation to the lower member 310.More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the stop 328 extendsdownwardly, i.e., towards the patients' bottom teeth, from an end of theplanar first portion 304 of the lower member 310 and bends away from thebite block 100 such that the stop 328 is positioned in generallyorthogonal relation to the lower member 310. As seen in FIG. 2-4, forexample, the stop 328 may be integrally formed with the end of theplanar first portion 304 of the lower member 310 and may be generallyU-shaped or curved in configuration, e.g., so as not to harm thepatient's mouth. Although illustrated as being a component of thedepressor section 300 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, inalternate embodiments, the location of the stop 328 may be varied. Forexample, the stop 328 may extend downwardly from the bite block 100 orthe guard 200.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-4, use of the airway device 1000 will bediscussed in connection with a medical procedure, such as an EGDprocedure or an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)procedure. To ensure that a patient receives sufficient oxygen, e.g.,while unconscious under general anesthesia, the airway device 1000 isplaced in the patient's mouth such that the bite block 100 is positionedbetween the patient's upper and lower teeth. After placement, thegeneral position of the airway device 1000 is maintained via engagementof the patient's teeth with the bite block 100, and engagement of theguard 200 with the patient's lips and/or the surrounding areas. Whenproperly positioned within the patient's mouth, the depressor section300 extends above and behind the patient's tongue so as to press thepatient's tongue against the floor of the patient's mouth. The curvedconfiguration of the second portion 306 (FIG. 2) of the depressorsection 300 “cups” the patient's tongue, with the distalmost end 302 ofthe depressor section 300 being positioned at or adjacent the base ofthe patient's tongue so as to apply a force directed forwards, i.e.,towards the patient's teeth, in order to urge the patient's tongue awayfrom the patient's posterior pharynx, and prevent the patient's tonguefrom falling backwards into the patient's airway.

After placement of the airway device 1000, medical tools, e.g.,endoscopes or ventilation tubes, may be inserted through the accesspassage 108 extending through the bite block 100, and into the patient'soral cavity, esophagus, airway, stomach, and/or duodenum. The bite block100 will function to maintain the medical tool(s) in the correctposition(s), and will protect the medical tool(s) from damage, e.g.,from the patient's teeth. Additionally, or alternatively, medical toolscan be inserted into, and positioned within, the openings 326 formed inthe web 312 of the depressor section 300, and/or the lateral channels314, 316 (FIG. 9) flanking the web 312, if necessary or desirable.

Persons skilled in the art will understand that the various embodimentsof the disclosure described herein, and shown in the accompanyingfigures, constitute non-limiting examples, and that additionalcomponents and features may be added to any of the embodiments discussedherein above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Additionally, persons skilled in the art will understand that theelements and features shown or described in connection with oneembodiment may be combined with those of another embodiment withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure, and will appreciatefurther features and advantages of the presently disclosed subjectmatter based on the description provided. Variations, combinations,and/or modifications to any of the embodiments and/or features of theembodiments described herein within the abilities of a person havingordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of the disclosure,as are alternative embodiments that may result from combining,integrating, and/or omitting features from any of the disclosedembodiments.

Where numerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations, e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes 2, 3, 4,etc., and greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.Additionally, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, L_(L), andan upper limit, L_(u,) is disclosed, any number falling within the rangeis specifically disclosed. In particular, the following numbers withinthe range are specifically disclosed: L=L_(L)+k*(L_(U)−L_(L)), wherein kis a variable ranging from 1percent to 100 percent with a 1 percentincrement, i.e., k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5percent, 50 percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96percent, 97 percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Moreover,any numerical range defined by two L numbers, in accordance with theabove discussion, is also specifically disclosed.

Use of the term “optionally” with respect to any element of a claimmeans that the element may be included or omitted, both alternativesbeing within the scope of the claim. Additionally, use of broader termssuch as “comprises,” “includes,” and “having” should be understood toprovide support for narrower terms such as “consisting of,” “consistingessentially of,” and “comprised substantially of.” Accordingly, thescope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, butis defined by the claims that follow, and includes all equivalents ofthe subject matter of the claims.

In the preceding description, reference may be made to the spatialrelationship between the various structures illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, and to the spatial orientation of the structures.However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after acomplete reading of this disclosure, the structures described herein maybe positioned and oriented in any manner suitable for their intendedpurpose. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,”“lower,” “inner,” “outer,” etc., should be understood to describe arelative relationship between structures, and/or a spatial orientationof the structures.

Additionally, terms such as “approximately” and “generally” should beunderstood to allow for variations in any numerical range or conceptwith which they are associated. For example, it is envisioned that theuse of terms such as “approximately” and “generally” should beunderstood to encompass variations on the order of 25%, or to allow formanufacturing tolerances and/or deviations in design.

Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into thespecification, and represent embodiments of the present disclosure.Also, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “A and/or B and/orC” should each be interpreted to include only A, only B, only C, or anycombination of A, B, and C.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An airway device, comprising: a bite blockconfigured for positioning between a patient's teeth, the bite blockdefining an access passage configured to receive a medical tool; and adepressor section connected to a lower end of the bite block such thatthe depressor section is spaced vertically from the access passage alonga first axis.
 22. The airway device of claim 21, wherein the bite blockand the depressor section are integrally formed from a single piece ofmaterial.
 23. The airway device of claim 21, wherein the bite blockincludes a generally cylindrical configuration.
 24. The airway device ofclaim 23, wherein the access passage includes a generally ellipticalcross-sectional configuration.
 25. The airway device of claim 21,wherein the bite block includes a retention structure configured forcontact with the patient's teeth to inhibit inadvertent removal of thebite block.
 26. The airway device of claim 25, wherein the bite blockincludes a tapered configuration.
 27. The airway device of claim 25,wherein the retention structure extends laterally outward from the biteblock.
 28. The airway device of claim 25, wherein the retentionstructure extends inwardly into the bite block.
 29. The airway device ofclaim 21, further including a guard extending laterally outward from thebite block along a second axis transverse in relation to the first axis.30. The airway device of claim 29, wherein the guard includes a flangeand a bridge portion connecting the flange to the bite block such thatthe guard defines a first open interior region on a first lateral sideof the bite block and a second open interior region on a second lateralside of the bite block to increase flexibility of the guard and patientcomfort.
 31. The airway device of claim 30, wherein the guard furtherincludes a connector configured for engagement with a wearable support.32. The airway device of claim 31, wherein the guard includes a firstconnector at a first lateral end of the flange and a second connector ata second lateral end of the flange.
 33. The airway device of claim 21,further including a stop extending transversely from the depressorsection.
 34. The airway device of claim 33, wherein the stop includes agenerally U-shaped configuration.
 35. An airway device, comprising: abite block defining an access passage extending therethrough; and adepressor section extending from the bite block such that the accesspassage and the depressor section are misaligned.
 36. The airway deviceof claim 35, wherein the bite block and the depressor section areintegrally formed from a single piece of material.
 37. The airway deviceof claim 35, further including a guard extending laterally outward fromthe bite block, the guard defining an open interior region.
 38. Anairway device, comprising: a bite block defining an access passageextending along a first axis; a depressor section extending from thebite block such that the access passage and the depressor section arespaced apart along a second axis transverse in relation to the firstaxis; and a guard extending outwardly from the bite block along a thirdaxis transverse in relation to the first axis and the second axis. 39.The airway device of claim 38, wherein the bite block and the depressorsection are integrally formed from a single piece of material.
 40. Theairway device of 38, wherein the guard defines an open interior region.